Shoe Eyelet Accessory

ABSTRACT

A Shoe Eyelet Accessory (SEA) that functions in combination with a shoe having an eyelet flap that has at least one pair of aligned shoe eyelets. The SEA comprises a single preferred embodiment as well as multiple additional designs. The SEA can include a plurality of eyelet attachment hook designs. To secure the shoe to a person&#39;s foot, an eyelet hook is releasably inserted into a SEA eyelet and a respective shoe eyelet.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention generally pertains to structures and methods for securing a shoe to a person's foot, and more particularly to a shoe eyelet accessory that is attached to a shoe eyelet by means of an eyelet hook.

BACKGROUND ART

Throughout the evolution of shoe designs, several methods for comfortably securing a shoe to a person's foot have been devised. These methods include clips, buttons, hook and loop fastener, flaps and a plurality of paired shoelace eyelets that are located on the shoe's eyelet tab that interfaces with the tongue section of the shoe.

The plurality of paired eyelets is configured to slidably receive and secure a shoelace that is inserted into and out of the eyelets to form either a criss-cross pattern or a plurality of parallel segments that are arranged in series. In either case, the shoelace at its final pair of eyelets terminates in a hand-made knot that tightens the shoelace and secures the shoe to a person's feet.

A search of the prior art did not disclose any literature or patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention. However, the following U.S. patents are considered related.

PATENT NO. INVENTOR ISSUED 4,777,705 Ingram 18 Oct. 1988 5,295,315 Osawa et al 22 Mar. 1994 2010/0325849 Clayton 30 Dec. 2010

The U.S. Pat. No. 4,777,705 patent discloses a fastener that replaces the laces that are inserted through a pair of shoe eyelets. The fastener has a strip of elastomeric plastic material having openings near its ends for receiving posts which pass through the shoe lace eyelets. The distal ends of the posts have enlargements thereon which are received in retainer members which are snapped onto the posts after the latter are in place in the shoe.

The U.S. Pat. No. 5,295,315 patent discloses a shoe fastening device that includes a protruding member disposed integrally on one of an upper cover and a band member that is inserted into a receiving portion provided on the upper cover. The protruding member is connected to the band member and to the upper cover, thereby fastening the upper cover to the shoe.

The 2010/0325849 publication discloses a shoelace substitute that approximates the look and function of a shoelace and that includes a length of elastic material and two barbs. The barbs contain one of the ends of the elastic material, being crimped around the end of the elastic material to form a T. The baths are dimensioned to be inserted through eyelets of the shoe to connect opposite eyelets in the same manner as a shoelace.

For background purposes and as indicative of the art to which the invention relates, reference may be made to the following remaining patents found in the search.

PATENT NO. INVENTOR ISSUED 22,095 Tanley 16 Nov. 1858 Des.144,988 Richmond 11 Jun. 1946 1,673,090 Lamy 12 Jun. 1928 1,772,238 Bonne 5 Aug. 1930 1,948,318 Ciampi 8 Mar. 1932 4,907,352 Ginsberg 13 Mar. 1990 6,026,548 Jackson 22 Feb. 2000 6,324,774 Zebe, Jr. 4 Dec. 2001 6,477,754 Alexander 12 Nov. 2002 8,332,994 Lin 18 Dec. 2012 9,468,262 Caron 18 Oct. 2016 2008/0222861 Son 18 Sep. 2008 2014/0059819 Cleare et al 6 Mar. 2014 2015/0216264 Kim 6 Aug. 2015 2016/0081432 Caron 24 Mar. 2016

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The Shoe Eyelet Accessory (SEA) discloses a structure and a method for easily and aesthetically securing a shoe to a person's foot. The shoe that is used in combination with the SEA has at least one pair of aligned shoe eyelets.

The SEA is comprised of a single preferred embodiment, as well as multiple additional designs, each of which is comprised of:

A) A central resilient section having an inner side edge and an outer side edge.

B) A hook means that is located adjacent the inner side edge of the central resilient section and adjacent the outer side edge of the central resilient section.

C) An eyelet hook having means for being removably attached across the shoe eyelet and the hook attachment means. When the eyelet hook is attached, the shoe is secured to a person's foot.

The central resilient section is comprised of a resilient rectangular strap having an upper surface, a lower surface, a front edge, a rear edge, an inner side edge, and an outer side edge. The hook attachment means is comprised of a metal stamped hook eyelet located adjacent the inner side edge and the outer side edge of the resilient rectangular strap. The eyelet hook is disclosed in a variety of designs.

In view of the above disclosure, the primary object of the invention is to provide a SEA that allows a shoe having paired shoe eyelets to be fastened to a pair of eyelets, thereby securing the shoe to a person's foot.

In addition to the primary object of the invention, it is also an object of the invention to provide a SEA that:

-   -   utilizes several designs for an eyelet attachment hook,     -   aesthetically enhances the appearance of a shoe,     -   can be colored to compliment the color of the shoe,     -   can include various forms of indicia,     -   allows the appearance of a shoe to be changed,     -   can be utilized by any shoe having eyelets,     -   can be made in various widths to accommodate the eyelet size of         a particular shoe,     -   can be made of various materials,     -   is easy to attach and remove,     -   can be sold along with a shoe or as an aftermarket item,     -   is durable and long lasting, and     -   is cost effective from both a manufacturer's and consumer's         point of view.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view showing a referred embodiment of a multiple shoe eyelet accessories, each accessory secured onto and within a shoe eyelet, with one shoe eyelet accessory shown in cut-away.

FIG. 2 is an orthographic view showing the preferred embodiment of the shoe eyelet accessory.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of an elastic rectangular strap having adjacent to each side a reinforced eyelet. The figure also shows a logo located on an upper surface of the strap.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a resilient looped band having a first looped end and a second looped end.

FIG. 5 is a partial top plan view showing a second design of an eyelet hook inserted over one of the hook attachment ends of the resilient looped band. FIG. 5 also shows a slidable structure having an opening that is inserted into and that traverses along the resilient looped band.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the eyelet hook shown in FIG. 5 .

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a shoe having attached a set of side-by-side shoe eyelets and a pair of eyelets that are used to allow a double-diagonal attachment pattern.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of an elastic rectangular strap having adjacent to each side a pair of openings into which is inserted a pair of eyelet hooks. FIG. 8 also shows a logo located on an upper surface of the strap.

FIG. 9 is an elevational side view of a first design of an eyelet hook.

FIG. 10 is an orthographic view of a second design of an eyelet hook

FIG. 11 is an elevational side view of a third design of an eyelet hook.

FIG. 12 is an orthographic view of a fourth design of an eyelet hook.

FIG. 13 is an elevational side view of a fifth design of an eyelet hook.

FIG. 14 is an orthographic view of a sixth design of an eyelet hook.

FIG. 15 is an elevational side view of a seventh design of an eyelet hook.

FIG. 16 is an orthographic view of a second design of an eyelet hook

FIG. 17 is an orthographic view of a ninth design of an eyelet hook.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms that disclose a preferred embodiment of a Shoe Eyelet Accessory (SEA 10) that is designed to provide a practical and aesthetic method for securing a shoe to a person's foot. In addition to the single preferred embodiment that are additional design configurations which fall within the scope of the inventive concept. All designs of the SEA 10 function in combination with a shoe 128 having an eyelet flap 130 which has at least one pair of aligned shoe eyelets 132.

It should be noted that this patent application discloses an improved design of one shoe eyelet attachment assembly as disclosed in previous patent application Ser. No. 13/479,738 filed on May 24, 2012 and now abandoned.

The improvements include structural modification of reducing the dimensions of certain components of the accessory, inverting the placement of the accessory to prevent snagging of the accessory on a shoe and/or a person's finger(s), and providing an accessory that is more effective and easier to utilize.

The preferred embodiment of the SEA 10 is comprised of an eyelet hook 12, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , with a first elongated horizontal member 14, a second elongated horizontal member 16, a third elongated horizontal member 18, and a fourth elongated horizontal member 20. An upper semi-circular member 24 extends from an upper end of the first elongated horizontal member 14 to the third elongated horizontal member 18. This maintains the first and third members 14,18 spaced apart, horizontally parallel to each other. A first vertical member 26 is integrally attached to an end of the first elongated member 14, and an end of the second elongated member 16, maintaining the first and second members 14,16 spaced part, vertically parallel to each other. A second vertical member 30 is integrally attached to an end of the third elongated member 18, and the fourth elongated member 20, maintaining the third and fourth members 18,20 spaced part, vertically parallel to each other.

A first lower semi-circular section 34 extends outward from the second elongated horizontal member 16, and terminates with a 90-degree inward pointing section 36. A second lower semi-circular section 40 extends outward from the fourth elongated horizontal member 20, and terminates with a 90-degree inward-pointing section 42.

The design of the preferred embodiment allows a person to quickly and easily secure the SEA 10, through a shoe eyelet. Once in place, the preferred embodiment does not present any sharp edges or points on the outer surface of a shoe. Also, the SEA 10 can be secured by variable orientation, including facing upward, downward, to the right, or the left.

The preferred embodiment of the SEA 10, as well as the additional designs, can be made of various materials such as plastic, metal, wood, reinforced fabric or a composite, and the SEA 10 can be a single color or multi-colored. Additionally, the SEA 10 can be utilized on many different types of footwear that have eyelets. Examples of footwear are sports/tennis shoes, dress shoes/loafers, work boots, and sandals with laces.

The additional designs of the SEA 10, as shown in FIGS. 3-17 , comprise a central resilient section 48 and an eyelet hook 90 which attaches the central resilient section 48 to the shoe eyelets 132.

The central resilient section 48 is disclosed in two design configurations: a resilient rectangular strap 50 and a resilient looped band 82. The resilient rectangular strap 50, as shown in FIG. 3 , includes an upper surface 52, a lower surface 54, a front edge 56, a rear edge 58, an inner side edge 60, and an outer side edge 62. Located adjacent the inner side edge 60 and the outer side edge 62 and between the front edge 56 and the rear edge 58 is a hook attachment means 64 that preferably consists of an eyelet 66. The eyelet 66, as shown in FIG. 3 , can consist of a circular eyelet 68 that is formed by a metal stamping 72, plastic stamping (not shown) or a slit eyelet 70 that is reinforced by woven thread 74.

Preferably, the resilient rectangular strap 50 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or neoprene and can be colored to compliment the color of the shoe 128. The strap 50 can also be designed to include various forms of indicia 80, which is located on the upper surface 52 of the strap 50, as shown in FIG. 3 . The indicia 80 is selected from the group consisting of printed matter, logos, beads, charms and pendants.

Another design of the central resilient section 48, as shown in FIG. 4 , is a resilient looped band 82. The looped band 82 has a first looped end 84 and a-second looped end 86, wherein each looped end functions as a hook attachment means 64. The resilient looped band 82 can be produced in various colors to compliment the color of the shoe 128 and is made of an elastic material such as rubber, neoprene or a BUNGEE™ cord. Additionally, to enhance the utility of the SEA 10, a slidable structure 76 in the form of a cube, a hexagon or an octagon having an opening 78 can be utilized. The opening 78, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , is dimensioned to slidably fit into and traverse along the resilient looped band 82.

Both of the above design configurations of the SEA 10 can utilize a central resilient section 48 that is attached to a set of side-by-side shoe eyelets 132, as shown in FIG. 7 . Alternatively, a pair of angled shoe eyelets 132 can be utilized to allow the section 48 to form a double-diagonal pattern, as also shown in FIG. 7 .

The SEA 10, as shown in FIG. 8 , can also be utilized to function in combination with a shoe 128 having at least two pairs of aligned shoe eyelets 132. In this design, the central resilient section 48 includes an upper surface 52, a lower surface 54, a front edge 56, a rear edge 58, an inner side edge 60 and an outer side edge 62. A hook attachment means 64 is attached at the intersections of the front edge 56 and the inner side edge 60, the front edge 56 and the outer side edge 62, the rear edge 58 and the inner side edge 60, and the rear edge 58 and the outer side edge 62. To secure the central resilient section 48, an eyelet hook 90 is attached between each hook eyelet 66 and a corresponding shoe eyelet 132. The upper surface 52 of the strap 50 can also include indicia 80 and the strap 50 can be color coordinated to compliment with the color of the shoe 128.

The eyelet hook 90 that attaches the eyelets 66 on the central resilient section 48 to the eyelets 132 located on the shoe 128. Multiple hook designs are disclosed. However, other designs that are not shown can also be utilized without affecting the basic inventive function.

The first eyelet hook 90, as shown in FIG. 9 , is comprised of a rectangular strap 92 having a central section 94 which is integrally attached to a first inward-bent section 96 having a bulbous terminus 98, and a second inward-bent section 100 also having a bulbous terminus 98.

The second eyelet attachment hook 90, as shown in FIG. 10 , is comprised of a circular disk 106 having integrally attached a central section 94 having an end further having a notch 124.

The third eyelet hook 90, as shown in FIG. 11 , is comprised of a circular rod 102 having a central section 94 which is integrally attached to a first inward-bent section 96 having a bulbous terminus 98, and a second inward-bent section 100 having a bulbous terminus 98.

The fourth eyelet hook 90, as shown in FIG. 12 , is comprised of a circular disk 106 from where extends a central section 94 having a pair of rods that terminate with an inward-sloping single loop 120.

The fifth eyelet hook 90, as shown in FIG. 13 , is comprised of a circular rod 102 having a central section 94 that is integrally attached to a first inward-bent section 96 having a bulbous terminus 98, and an upward-extending rod 104 which terminates with a circular disk 106 that is dimensioned to be inserted into a respective eyelet.

The sixth eyelet hook 90, as shown in FIG. 14 , is comprised of an elongated central section 94 having a lower serrated edge 122 and an end that terminates with a single loop 120.

The seventh eyelet hook 90, as shown in FIG. 15 , is comprised of a circular rod 102 having a central section 94 which is integrally attached to a first downward-extending rod 108 that terminates with a circular disk 106, and a second downward-extending rod 110 that terminates with a circular disk 106.

The eighth eyelet hook 90, as shown in FIG. 16 , is comprised of a wire double loop 118 that is integrally attached to a single loop 120.

The ninth eyelet hook 90, as shown in FIG. 17 , is comprised of a tapered strap 112 having a central section 94 which is integrally attached to a first inward-bent terminus 114 and a second inward-bent terminus 116.

While the invention has been described in detail and pictorially shown in the accompanying drawings it is not to be limited to such details, since many changes and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and the scope thereof. Hence, it is described to cover any and all modifications and forms which may come within the language and scope of the disclosure. 

1. A shoe eyelet accessory (SEA) that functions in combination with a shoe having an eyelet flap further having at least one pair of aligned shoe eyelets, the SEA comprising: a first elongated horizontal member, a second elongated horizontal member, a third elongated horizontal member, a fourth elongated horizontal member, an upper semi-circular section extending from the first elongated horizontal member to the third elongated horizontal member, maintaining the first and third members spaced apart, horizontally parallel to each other, a first vertical member integrally attached to the first elongated member and the second elongated member, maintaining the first and second members spaced apart, vertically parallel to each other, a second vertical member integrally attached to the third elongated member and the fourth elongated member, maintaining the third and fourth members spaced apart, vertically parallel to each other, a first lower semi-circular section of extending outward from the second horizontal elongated member, and terminating with 90-degrees inward-pointing section, a second lower semi-circular section extending outward from the fourth elongated horizontal members, and terminating with a 90-degree inward-pointing section, and a resilient band comprising a first end and a second end, each end having an opening into which an eyelet hook is placed, with the eyelet hook then inserted into and secured within a shoe eyelet, and the resilient band extending across an upper section of a shoe, securing two oppositely aligned eyelets together.
 2. The shoe eyelet accessory of claim 1, wherein the eyelet hook is made of a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, metal, wood, reinforced fabric, and a composite.
 3. The shoe eyelet accessory of claim 1, wherein the shoe eyelets are selected from the group consisting of metal stampings, plastic stampings and slits reinforced by woven thread.
 4. A shoe eyelet accessory (SEA) that functions in combination with a shoe having an eyelet flap further having at least one pair of aligned shoe eyelets, the SEA comprising: a) a central resilient section having an inner side edge and an outer side edge, b) a hook attachment means located adjacent the inner side edge of the central resilient section and adjacent the outer side edge of the central resilient section, and c) an eyelet hook having means for being removably attached across the shoe eyelet and the hook attachment means, wherein when the eyelet attachment hook is attached the shoe is secured to a person's foot.
 5. The SEA of claim 4, wherein the SEA is made of a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, metal, wood, reinforced fabric, and a composite.
 6. The SEA of claim 4, wherein the central resilient section is comprised of a resilient rectangular strap having an upper surface, a lower surface, a front edge, a rear edge, an inner side edge, and an outer side edge.
 7. The SEA of claim 4, wherein the hook eyelets are selected from the group consisting of metal stampings, plastic stampings, and slits reinforced by woven threads.
 8. The SEA of claim 4, wherein the central resilient section is comprised of a resilient looped band having a first looped end and a second looped end, wherein the looped ends function as the hook attachment means.
 9. The SEA of claim 4, wherein the eyelet hook is comprised of a first eyelet attachment hook further comprised of a rectangular strap having a central section which is integrally attached to a first inward-bent section having a bulbous terminus, and a second inward bent section having a bulbous terminus.
 10. The SEA of claim 4, wherein the eyelet hook is comprised of a second eyelet attachment hook further comprised of a circular disk having integrally attached a central section having a notch.
 11. The SEA of claim 4, wherein the eyelet hook is comprised of a third eyelet attachment hook further comprised of a circular rod having a central section which is integrally attached to a first inward-bent section having a bulbous terminus, and a second inward-bent section having a bulbous terminus.
 12. The SEA of claim 4, wherein the eyelet hook is comprised of a fourth eyelet attachment hook further comprised of a circular disk from where extends a central section having a pair of rods that terminate with an inward-sloping single loop.
 13. The SEA of claim 4, wherein the eyelet hook is comprised of a fifth eyelet attachment hook further comprised of a circular rod having a central section that is integrally attached to a first inward-bent section having a bulbous terminus, and an upward-extending rod which terminates with a circular disk that is dimensioned to be inserted into a respective eyelet.
 14. The SEA of claim 4, wherein the eyelet hook is comprised of a sixth eyelet attachment hook further comprised of an elongated central section having a lower serrated edge and an end that terminates with a single hook.
 15. The SEA of claim 4, wherein the eyelet hook is comprised of a seventh eyelet attachment hook further comprised of a circular rod having a central section which is integrally attached to a first downward-extending rod that terminate with a circular disk, and a second downward-extending rod that terminates with a circular disk.
 16. The SEA of claim 4, wherein the eyelet hook is comprised of a eighth eyelet attachment hook further comprised of a wired double loop that is integrally attached to a single loop.
 17. The SEA of claim 4, wherein the eyelet hook is comprised of a ninth eyelet attachment hook further comprised of a tapered strap having a central section which is integrally attached to a first inward-bent terminus and a second inward-bent terminus.
 18. The SEA of claim 4, further comprising a slidable structure having a bore that is dimensioned to slidably traverse the resilient looped band.
 19. A shoe eyelet accessory (SEA) that functions in combination with a shoe having an eyelet flap having at least one pair of aligned shoe eyelets, the SEA comprising: a) a resilient rectangular strap having an upper surface, a lower surface, a front edge, a rear edge, an inner side edge and an outer side edge, b) a hook eyelet located adjacent the inner side edge and the outer side edge and between the front edge and the rear edge, wherein the hook eyelet is comprised of a metal stamped eyelet, a plastic stamped eyelet or a slit eyelet reinforced by woven thread, and c) a hook attached between each hook eyelet and a corresponding shoe eyelet, when the hooks are attached the shoe is secured to a person's foot.
 20. The SEA of claim 19, wherein the upper surface of the central resilient section further comprises indicia that is selected from the group consisting of printed matter, logs, beds, charms and pendants. 